The Best Shoot-em-up Games

Update : Iron Meat added at rank #6.
1

Valfaris: Mecha Therion (2023)

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89
Review score
Logo of Valfaris: Mecha Therion Screenshot of Valfaris: Mecha Therion Screenshot of Valfaris: Mecha Therion Screenshot of Valfaris: Mecha Therion

PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch

Therion returns as the hunt for Lord Vroll continues. Pilot an advanced machine of death and destruction in this explosive 2.5D side-scrolling shoot ‘em up, and sequel to the critically acclaimed Valfaris. Strap in and unleash mecha hell!


  • side-scrolling
  • shoot-em-up
  • shooter
  • sequel
  • gore
  • scroller
  • sci-fi
  • bullet-hell
  • aliens
  • gothic
  • shoot
  • on-rails
  • 2.5d
  • colourful
  • arcade

2

Rayaz Arcade Chronology (2023)

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80
Review score
Logo of Rayaz Arcade Chronology Screenshot of Rayaz Arcade Chronology Screenshot of Rayaz Arcade Chronology Screenshot of Rayaz Arcade Chronology

PC Windows

Lock-on to an exhilarating sci-fi shooting fest with the trilogy which put Taito on the 90s arcade shooting map: The Ray Series, together in one collection for the first time!


  • shooter
  • two-layer
  • shoot-em-up
  • scrolling
  • arcade
  • sprite
  • sci-fi
  • vertical
  • 2.5d
  • arcade-classic
  • pixel
  • pixel-drawn
  • playstation
  • classic
  • boss

3

DRAINUS (2022)

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87
Review score
Logo of DRAINUS Screenshot of DRAINUS Screenshot of DRAINUS Screenshot of DRAINUS

Nintendo Switch PC Windows

This is a side-scrolling shooting game in which you take control of the "Drainus", the Kharlal Empire's most cutting-edge fighter with the ability to absorb energy bullets, and take down the enemy ships zipping through space.

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  • shooter
  • shoot-em-up
  • scrolling
  • boss
  • horizontal
  • 2d
  • side-scrolling
  • tanks
  • pause
  • shoot
  • action
  • bullet-hell
  • pixel
  • puzzle-shmup
  • mecha-dragon

4

Pewt 'em Up! (2022)

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97
Review score
Logo of Pewt 'em Up! Screenshot of Pewt 'em Up! Screenshot of Pewt 'em Up! Screenshot of Pewt 'em Up!

PC Windows Android

Pewt 'em Up! is a retro inspired arcade space shoot 'em up with lots of upgrades, achievements, extras and more.


  • shoot-em-up
  • rogue-like
  • aliens
  • retro
  • arcade
  • futuristic
  • pixel
  • 2d
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • shooter
  • linear
  • action

5

Jets'n'Guns 2 (2020)

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95
Review score
Logo of Jets'n'Guns 2 Screenshot of Jets'n'Guns 2 Screenshot of Jets'n'Guns 2 Screenshot of Jets'n'Guns 2

Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4

Jets'n'Guns 2 is a side-scrolling space shooter with insane levels of action and destruction. Travel the galaxies and unleash an arsenal of the deadliest weapons and devices to save the universe from its inevitable doom.


  • shoot-em-up
  • shoot
  • side-scrolling
  • shooter
  • unique-playing
  • scrolling
  • vertical
  • action
  • stage
  • 2d
  • colourful
  • scroller
  • bullet-hell
  • retro
  • local

6

Iron Meat (2024)

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87
Review score
Logo of Iron Meat Screenshot of Iron Meat Screenshot of Iron Meat Screenshot of Iron Meat

j Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One

Iron Meat is a run-and-gun arcade shooter that immerses players in an apocalyptic future overrun by "The Meat," an iron-ravenous mass mutating everything in its path. Blast your way through retro-inspired stages and bosses to uncover the shocking horrors behind secret experiments on the Moon.


  • gore-ific
  • run-and-gun
  • customization
  • 2d
  • shoot-em-up
  • arcade
  • platform
  • 2-player
  • scroller
  • gun
  • boss-fight
  • boss
  • character
  • contra
  • shooter

7

Chicken Invaders 2 (2021)

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88
Review score
Logo of Chicken Invaders 2 Screenshot of Chicken Invaders 2 Screenshot of Chicken Invaders 2 Screenshot of Chicken Invaders 2

Linux Mac OS PC Windows IOS iPhone

Just when you thought it was safe to eat chicken again, the chickens have returned with an organized invasion to take over the entire solar system! Journey to each planet and fight your way through to save the world (again)!


  • shoot-em-up
  • casual
  • entertainment
  • action
  • 4-player
  • orchestral
  • parody
  • horizontal
  • spin-off
  • two-player
  • vertical
  • boss
  • cartoony
  • mmo

8

Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX (2023)

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74
Review score
Logo of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX Screenshot of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX Screenshot of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX Screenshot of Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX

Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One

Soar sky-high in Raiden III x MIKADO MANIAX, an electrifying entry in the classic arcade shoot-‘em-up series! Customize your music, wallpapers, game mode, and more before launching into high-octane aerial action!


  • top-down
  • jet
  • bullet-hell
  • arcade
  • shoot-em-up
  • shooter
  • space
  • aliens
  • flight
  • cooperative
  • shoot
  • pixel
  • local
  • boss
  • 2d

9

Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers (2022)

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88
Review score
Logo of Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers Screenshot of Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers Screenshot of Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers Screenshot of Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers

Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One

UFOs! Aliens! Aircrafts! Resistance! SHOOT 'EM UP! Squad 51 vs. the Flying Saucers is a spaceship shooter with 2D gameplay and 3D environment. Enjoy a smart combination of a fast-paced shooting experience and the 1950's sci-fi movies aesthetic, with live-action cutscenes.


  • fmv
  • cinematic
  • shoot-em-up
  • scroller
  • noir
  • space
  • retro
  • aliens
  • politics
  • cooperative
  • old-school
  • local
  • sci-fi
  • action-adventure
  • so-so

10

Space Moth Lunar Edition (2021)

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76
Review score
Logo of Space Moth Lunar Edition Screenshot of Space Moth Lunar Edition Screenshot of Space Moth Lunar Edition Screenshot of Space Moth Lunar Edition

Nintendo Switch PC Windows Playstation 4 Xbox One

1CC Games’ first shoot ’em up returns with totally overhauled visuals, all-new enemies and attacks, a deeper scoring system, remixed soundtrack and fresh player powers. Space Moth: Lunar Edition is the ultimate version of the beloved cult classic.


  • bullet-hell
  • shoot-em-up
  • psychedelic
  • attack
  • score
  • arcade
  • pixel
  • 1990s
  • cult
  • retro
  • 2d
  • old-school
  • shooter
  • colourful
  • action

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